Pistons

Report: Pistons Offered Izzo Same Deal As Van Gundy

EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 13: Denzel Valentine #45 of the Michigan State Spartans and head coach Tom Izzo talk late in the second half of the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Breslin Center on February 13, 2014 in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Wildcats 85-70. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

The Pistons owner is a Michigan State alum and there was talk in late March that the Pistons were going to pursue Izzo for their head coaching gig.

Here is CBSSports.com’s take on the issue:

If Detroit really wanted him, though, it makes sense that they’d need to overpay. Izzo is beloved in East Lansing, and going to the pros would come with significant risk. It’s the same reason Brad Stevens got a six-year deal from the Boston Celtics, and it’s why it is going to take an excellent offer to pry Kevin Ollie away from UConn or Fred Hoiberg from Iowa State.

I believe if Izzo really did turn down this deal then he will be at Michigan State for life. There won’t be another deal like this out there that would pay you big time and give you complete control of a team — as if he were in college.